Introduction
SQL Server has become one of the most popular database management systems
in the world. From small development projects to some of the best-known and
most prestigious sites on the Web, SQL Server has proven itself to be a solid,
reliable, fast, and trusted solution to all sorts of data-storage needs.
This book is based on my bestselling book Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10
Minutes, which has become the most-used SQL tutorial in the world, with an
emphasis on teaching what you really need to know—methodically,
systematically, and simply. But as popular and as successful as that book is, it
does have some limitations:
In covering all the major DBMSs, coverage of DBMS-specific features
and functionality had to be kept to a minimum.
To simplify the SQL taught, the lowest common denominator had to be
found—SQL statements that would (as much as possible) work with all
major DBMSs. This requirement necessitated that better DBMS-specific
solutions not be covered.
Although basic SQL tends to be rather portable between DBMSs, more
advanced SQL most definitely is not. As such, that book could not cover
advanced topics, such as triggers, cursors, stored procedures, access
control, transactions, and more in any real detail.
And that is where this book comes in. Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SQL
Server T-SQL in 10 Minutes builds on the proven tutorials and structure of Sams
Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, without getting bogged down with anything
but Transact-SQL (T-SQL, for short). It starts with simple data retrieval and
works on to more complex topics, including the use of joins, subqueries, full
text–based searches, functions and stored procedures, cursors, triggers, table
constraints, XML and JSON, and much more. You’ll learn what you need to
know methodically, systematically, and simply—in highly focused lessons
designed to make you immediately and effortlessly productive.
Note: Written for SQL Server 2012 through 2016
This book was written with SQL Server 2012 through 2016 in mind,
and covers features and technologies new to these versions of the
software.